A combinational circuit, also called a combinational logic circuit, is a
digital electronic circuit whose output is determined by present inputs only.
The output of a combinational logic circuit does not depend on the history of
the circuit operation. In other words, a combinational circuit is a digital logic
circuit whose output depends only on the present input values and does not
depend on any feedback or previous input or output values.
In this chapter, we will explain the fundamentals of combinational circuits,
and its block diagram, types, and applications. So, let’s start with the basic
definition of combinational circuits.
What is a Combinational Circuit?
A combinational circuit is a type of digital logic circuit whose output depends
on the present input values only and does not depend on past input and
output values. Therefore, a combinational circuit is considered to not have a
memory element in its circuit that stores previous inputs and outputs.
Instead, it consists of a certain number of input lines to apply current input
values and a certain number of output lines.
The most important characteristic of a combinational circuit is that it does
not have any feedback path between input and output. Therefore, the
combinational circuits can be categorized as open-loop systems.
Block Diagram of Combinational Circuit
The following figure depicts the block diagram of a combinational logic
circuit.
Here, we can see that there are only three key elements in the circuit
diagram of a combinational circuit, they are −
Input Lines − The input lines are used to enter the input values into
the combinational circuit.
Processing Unit − It is the main element that processes the input
values depending on the type of the circuit. For example, a full adder
adds three binary bits.
Output Lines − The output lines are used to take results generated
by the circuit.
Characteristics of Combinational Circuits
The following are the main characteristics of combinational circuits −
The output of a combinational circuit, at any instant of time, depends
only on the present input values at that instant of time.
Combinational circuits do not use any kind of memory element in their
circuits. Thus, the previous state of input and output values do not
have any effect on the present operation of the circuit.
The output of a combinational circuit can be entirely predicted using its
logical operation and input values.
Combinational circuits produce an instantaneous output in response to
any change in its input values.
Types of Combinational Circuits
In digital electronics, the combinational circuits are important components of
digital systems. Depending on the functions performed, there are various
types of combinational circuits. Some common types of combinational
circuits and their functions are explained below −
Binary Adders
Binary Subtractors
Multiplexers (MUX)
Demultiplexers (DEMUX)
Encoders
Decoders
Comparators
In the following sections of this chapter, we will discuss briefly about each of
these combinational circuits along with their functions.
Binary Adders
A binary adder is a combinational circuit that performs the addition of
binary digits or bits. Depending on the design and configuration, there are
two types of binary adders namely, Half Adder and Full Adder.
Half Adder
The half adder is a combinational logic circuit with two inputs and two
outputs. The half adder circuit is designed to add two single-bit
binary numbers A and B. It is the basic building block for the addition of two
single-bit numbers. This circuit has two outputs namely, sum and carry.
Full Adder
The full adder is designed to overcome the drawback of a half adder
which is the ability to add only two bits. Therefore, the full adder is
a three-input and two-output combinational circuit. Where, the inputs
are two one-bit numbers A and B, and a carry C from the previous addition.
The outputs are sum and carry output.
Binary Subtractors
A binary subtractor is a combinational logic circuit used to subtract one
binary number from another. Similar to binary adder, there are two types of
binary subtractors namely, half-subtractor and full-subtractor.
Half Subtractor
A half subtractor is a combination circuit with two inputs (A and B) and two
outputs (difference and borrow). It produces the difference between the two
binary bits at the input and also produces an output (Borrow) to indicate if a
1 has been borrowed. In binary subtraction (A-B), A is called a Minuend bit
and B is called a Subtrahend bit.
Full Subtractor
The full subtractor is also a combinational circuit with three inputs A, B,
and Bin, and two outputs D and Bout.
Here, A is the minuend bit, B is the subtrahend bit, Bin is the previous
borrow bit produced by the previous stage, D is the difference output and
Bout is the borrow output.
Multiplexers (MUX)
The multiplexer is a combinational circuit that has n-data inputs and a single output. It is
also known as the data selector which selects one input from the inputs and routes it to the
output. With the help of the selected inputs, one input line from the n-input lines is selected.
The enable input is denoted by E, which is used in cascade.
Demultiplexers (DEMUX)
De-multiplexer performs the reverse operation of a multiplexer. The de-multiplexer has
only one input, which is distributed over several outputs. One output line is selected at
a time by selecting lines. The input is transmitted to the selected output line.
Encoders
An encoder is a combinational circuit that is designed to convert a piece of
information into a binary code. An encoder has n number of input lines
and m number of output lines, where n = 2m.
An encoder generates an m-bit binary code corresponding to the digital input
applied to it. In other words, an encoder accepts an n-input digital word and
converts it into an m-bit another digital word.
Examples of encoder include 4-to-2 encoder, octal-to-binary encoder,
hexadecimal-to-binary encoder, priority encoder, etc.
Decoders
A decoder is a combinational circuit that converts a binary code into a
normal word like a decimal digit. A decoder typically consists of n input lines
and m output lines, where the m = 2n.
Decoders are widely used in display drivers, data distribution systems, etc.
Some of the commonly used types of decoders are 2 to 4 decoder, 3 to 8
decoder, 4 to 16 decoder, BCD to seven segment decoder, etc.
Limitations of Combinational Circuits
Combinational circuits have several advantages such as fast operational
speed, simpler circuit, predictable operation, etc. However, they do have
several limitations too, some of which are listed below −
Combinational circuits do not have any memory element. They are
incapable to store history of circuit operation.
Combinational circuits cannot be used to implement certain highly
complex logic functions.
Combinational circuits do not have any feedback mechanism. That
makes the combinational circuits to have limited functionality.
At large scale, combinational circuits have several design complexities
that can result in poor performance and inefficient resource utilization.
Applications of Combinational Circuits
Combinational circuits are the fundamental building blocks in various digital
devices and systems. They are widely used in several digital devices in which
combinational circuits are used −
Microprocessors and Microcontrollers
Digital Computers
Calculators
Digital Communication Systems
Keyboards
Smartphones and Digital Watches, etc
Conclusion
What is a Sequential Circuit?
A sequential circuit is a logic circuit that consists of a memory element to
store history of past operation of the circuit. Therefore, the output of a
sequential circuit depends on present inputs as well as past outputs of the
circuit.
The block diagram of a typical sequential circuit is shown in the
following figure −
Here, it can be seen that a sequential circuit is basically a combination of a
combinational circuit and a memory element. The combinational circuit
performs the logical operations specified, while the memory element records
the history of operation of the circuit. This history is then used to perform
various logical operations in future.
The sequential circuits are named so because they use a series of latest and
previous inputs to determine the new output.
Main Components of Sequential Circuit
A sequential circuit consists of several different digital components to
process and hold information in the system. Here are some key components
of a sequential circuit explained −
Logic Gates
The logic gates like AND, OR, NOT, etc. are used to implement the data
processing mechanism of the sequential circuits. These logic gates are
basically interconnected in a specific manner to implement combinational
circuits to perform logical operations on input data.
Memory Element
In sequential circuits, the memory element is another crucial component that
holds history of circuit operation. Generally, flip-flops are used as the
memory element in sequential circuits.
In sequential circuits, a feedback path is provided between the output and
the input that transfers information from output end to the memory element
and from memory element to the input end.
All these components are interconnected together to design a sequential
circuit that can perform complex operations and store state information in
the memory element.